What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ghost
The stunning new novel from the No. 1 bestselling author of Fatherland; Enigma; Archangel; Pompeii and Imperium.
“The moment I heard how McAra died I should have walked away. I can see that now. I should have said, ‘Rick, I’m sorry, this isn’t for me, I don’t like the sound of it,� finished my drink and left. But he was such a good storyteller, Rick � I often thought he should have been the writer and I the agent � that once he’d started talking there was never any question I wouldn’t listen, and by the time he had finished, I was done for.�
After five books set firmly in the past, Robert Harris returns with a contemporary novel that brings the reader face to face with some of the biggest issues of our time � the result is a gripping and genuinely thrilling read.
“The moment I heard how McAra died I should have walked away. I can see that now. I should have said, ‘Rick, I’m sorry, this isn’t for me, I don’t like the sound of it,� finished my drink and left. But he was such a good storyteller, Rick � I often thought he should have been the writer and I the agent � that once he’d started talking there was never any question I wouldn’t listen, and by the time he had finished, I was done for.�
After five books set firmly in the past, Robert Harris returns with a contemporary novel that brings the reader face to face with some of the biggest issues of our time � the result is a gripping and genuinely thrilling read.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2007
850 people are currently reading
6,344 people want to read
About the author
Robert Harris
55books8,048followersROBERT HARRIS is the author of nine best-selling novels: Fatherland, Enigma, Archangel, Pompeii, Imperium, The Ghost Writer, Conspirata, The Fear Index, and An Officer and a Spy. Several of his books have been adapted to film, most recently The Ghost Writer, directed by Roman Polanski. His work has been translated into thirty-seven languages. He lives in the village of Kintbury, England, with his wife, Gill Hornby.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,644 reviews
January 16, 2025
Robert Harris - image from his ŷ page
This is a fast-paced thriller, centering around a ghost writer assigned to revise and complete the first draft of an autobiography prepared by his predecessor, another ghost writer, recently deceased. The subject of this is a Tony Blair stand-in, Adam Lang, a former British PM who had served American foreign policy needs with more attention than he gave to the wishes of his own people. The ghost is also under great time pressure from his publisher, one month to fix over a hundred thousand badly written words. The characters here are the sort one would expect in a political thriller, not too deep but fun to watch. The former PM has a background in theater that suits perfectly a person who seems not to be really there. His brains-behind-the-scenes wife, Ruth, was probably the most interesting character in the book, both warm and calculating, seemingly vulnerable yet dangerous. What really happened to the earlier ghost writer? Was his death really a suicide? Will the PM be brought to the international court as a war criminal? Is he guilty of the crimes of which he is accused? The ghostwriter is faced with choices. He can accept the assignment and make a lot of money, but in doing so he will alienate his sort-of girlfriend and trouble his conscience at least a little. Seduction of all sorts abounds here. I found it a fun, engaging read, a beach book, not to be taken too seriously, but enjoyable. The author’s political bias was clear enough (pro Iraq war) but I did not allow this to detract from the enjoyment of the read. Roll your eyes and keep reading.
Pierce Brosnan as Adam Lang and Ewan McGregor as the ghost writer - from the Roman Polanski film, The Ghost Writer - image from RogerEbert.com
PS - the film rocks!
February 15, 2025
Magnífica novela desde la primera página!
Un thriller que me ha tenido enganchadisima, deseando leerlo a todas horas.
He descubierto a este autor y me encanta.
Todo me ha resultado perfecto: trama, ritmo, personajes, ambientación y final. No tengo un "pero" que poner.
El protagonista es un escritor "negro", según el argot editorial. Y es de los mejores. Le ofrecen una barbaridad de dinero por terminar las memorias de un ex premier británico, Adam Lang. Conlleva tener que desplazarse durante un mes desde Londres a una isla de veraneo, Martha's Vineyard, cerca de Boston. Mejor dicho, a una isla desierta y fría en invierno, donde se encuentra el Sr. Lang alojado en una mansión de ricos.
Lo que este escritor se encuentra allí nunca se lo habría imaginado. Antes de ir ya sabía que el anterior "negro" murió súbitamente y por ese motivo él estaba ahora contratado para acabar las memorias de A. Lang. Pero al poco de llegar ya percibe que este trabajo no va a ser fácil, por todo lo que va descubriendo sobre Lang y por el revuelo que se ha organizado entorno a un hecho del pasado, ocurrido durante el mandato de Lang y que ha empezado a ser primera plana en periódicos y TV.
Y tanto que no será fácil, pues el escritor se ve envuelto en medio de una trama política que jamás habría sospechado. Y es entonces cuando empieza a temer por su vida.
El final es redondo y a la altura de una trama complicada hasta la última página.
Impecable!!
👌
Un thriller que me ha tenido enganchadisima, deseando leerlo a todas horas.
He descubierto a este autor y me encanta.
Todo me ha resultado perfecto: trama, ritmo, personajes, ambientación y final. No tengo un "pero" que poner.
El protagonista es un escritor "negro", según el argot editorial. Y es de los mejores. Le ofrecen una barbaridad de dinero por terminar las memorias de un ex premier británico, Adam Lang. Conlleva tener que desplazarse durante un mes desde Londres a una isla de veraneo, Martha's Vineyard, cerca de Boston. Mejor dicho, a una isla desierta y fría en invierno, donde se encuentra el Sr. Lang alojado en una mansión de ricos.
Lo que este escritor se encuentra allí nunca se lo habría imaginado. Antes de ir ya sabía que el anterior "negro" murió súbitamente y por ese motivo él estaba ahora contratado para acabar las memorias de A. Lang. Pero al poco de llegar ya percibe que este trabajo no va a ser fácil, por todo lo que va descubriendo sobre Lang y por el revuelo que se ha organizado entorno a un hecho del pasado, ocurrido durante el mandato de Lang y que ha empezado a ser primera plana en periódicos y TV.
Y tanto que no será fácil, pues el escritor se ve envuelto en medio de una trama política que jamás habría sospechado. Y es entonces cuando empieza a temer por su vida.
El final es redondo y a la altura de una trama complicada hasta la última página.
Impecable!!
👌
September 26, 2017
This one is somewhat of a departure for Robert Harris - despite the main character Adam Lang being clearly a version of Tony Blair and Lang's wife being a fictional equivalent of Cherie Blair, this is essentially new ground for Harris as the novel is not based on true events as such, and therefore not historical fiction as per usual for Harris.
Written with Robert Harris usual flair for an intelligent thriller, 'The Ghost' provides us with an intriguing and exciting story with thinly veiled nods aimed at Tony and Cherie Blair - effectively social and political commentary perhaps at their expense. All in all, whilst being compelling in the way that all Harris novels are, this isn't as strong as the majority of his novels to date.
It has also been suggested that as a former supporter of Tony Blair - but subsequently disillusioned, this was Harris perhaps with some kind of literary/political point to make, with particular reference to Blair's role in the invasion of Iraq?
Definitely worth reading (and much better than the movie adaptation) although definitely not amongst Harris best novels by any means.
Written with Robert Harris usual flair for an intelligent thriller, 'The Ghost' provides us with an intriguing and exciting story with thinly veiled nods aimed at Tony and Cherie Blair - effectively social and political commentary perhaps at their expense. All in all, whilst being compelling in the way that all Harris novels are, this isn't as strong as the majority of his novels to date.
It has also been suggested that as a former supporter of Tony Blair - but subsequently disillusioned, this was Harris perhaps with some kind of literary/political point to make, with particular reference to Blair's role in the invasion of Iraq?
Definitely worth reading (and much better than the movie adaptation) although definitely not amongst Harris best novels by any means.
December 11, 2014
Posted to
It's All about the Finish - 3.5 Stars
This book had the misfortune of being read after Robert Harris' far superior An Officer and A Spy . Regardless, The Ghost is a great novel in its own right. While it does not contain the fullness of what I consider to be a better novel, it is compact and straight to the point. It is filled with conspiracy which leaves you guessing until the end.
Plot summary
Our main character is a Ghost, or more appropriately, a professional ghost writer who has ghost written well received autobiographies of famous stars. His fortunes are looking up when he is offered a gig to finish ghost writing the highly anticipated autobiography of the former and controversial British Prime Minister. The previous ghost writer had died in an apparent suicide after spending the previous year putting together a manuscript for the book. The task is seemingly straight forward. He is to retire for several months to Martha's vineyard in the US, interview the Prime Minister, fix the poorly drafted manuscript and take home an absurd payday. Nothing is as it seems as the Ghost becomes increasingly suspicious regarding the death of his predecessor. While investigating the death of the first Ghost, he uncovers a conspiracy that will shock the world.
The Good
Conspiracy Nut Unite!
If you love a good conspiracy, the Ghost will certainly deliver. While I will not spoil the surprise, the conspiracy is certainly one that would shock the world and would make for some tense international relations. This underlying secret was the thrust of the novel and twists and stumbles will leave you guess and mistrusting every character you encounter.
If you like you endings to be explosive, you are in for a treat. I thought I had it all figured out but my ideas were turned on their head. A+ for a great finish.
The Bad
One Trick Pony
While I love where the story ultimately took me, the story often felt like filler until the big reveal. The audiobook was a relatively short 8 hours. Had it been longer, I would have likely lost interest in the filled and skipped to the big reveal. The first three quarters lacked the tension and buildup I felt the conspiracy required. There was some weak attempts at character building in the story, but given it is really a one trick pony, these attempts felt flat.
Can this Book Stand Alone
Yes. It is a stand alone novel.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, this is not a book you would read more than once. Once the plot fully reveals itself, there is not need to look at it again. This should not be taken as a criticism. I really did enjoy this novel. If I had not enjoyed the reveal as much as I did, I would have given this less stars. Enjoy this one for the anticipation of the reveal and for a delicious helping of conspiracy.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There is a minor subplot involving affair. The entanglements are not graphic.
Language -
There are around 26 mild obscenities, 16 religious exclamations and 19 f-words.
Violence - 2.5
There is talk of death, violence and the mistreatment of prisoners. There is some mild description of waterboarding techniques. Overall, the elements for a background and are not graphic.
It's All about the Finish - 3.5 Stars
This book had the misfortune of being read after Robert Harris' far superior An Officer and A Spy . Regardless, The Ghost is a great novel in its own right. While it does not contain the fullness of what I consider to be a better novel, it is compact and straight to the point. It is filled with conspiracy which leaves you guessing until the end.
Plot summary
Our main character is a Ghost, or more appropriately, a professional ghost writer who has ghost written well received autobiographies of famous stars. His fortunes are looking up when he is offered a gig to finish ghost writing the highly anticipated autobiography of the former and controversial British Prime Minister. The previous ghost writer had died in an apparent suicide after spending the previous year putting together a manuscript for the book. The task is seemingly straight forward. He is to retire for several months to Martha's vineyard in the US, interview the Prime Minister, fix the poorly drafted manuscript and take home an absurd payday. Nothing is as it seems as the Ghost becomes increasingly suspicious regarding the death of his predecessor. While investigating the death of the first Ghost, he uncovers a conspiracy that will shock the world.
The Good
Conspiracy Nut Unite!
If you love a good conspiracy, the Ghost will certainly deliver. While I will not spoil the surprise, the conspiracy is certainly one that would shock the world and would make for some tense international relations. This underlying secret was the thrust of the novel and twists and stumbles will leave you guess and mistrusting every character you encounter.
If you like you endings to be explosive, you are in for a treat. I thought I had it all figured out but my ideas were turned on their head. A+ for a great finish.
The Bad
One Trick Pony
While I love where the story ultimately took me, the story often felt like filler until the big reveal. The audiobook was a relatively short 8 hours. Had it been longer, I would have likely lost interest in the filled and skipped to the big reveal. The first three quarters lacked the tension and buildup I felt the conspiracy required. There was some weak attempts at character building in the story, but given it is really a one trick pony, these attempts felt flat.
Can this Book Stand Alone
Yes. It is a stand alone novel.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, this is not a book you would read more than once. Once the plot fully reveals itself, there is not need to look at it again. This should not be taken as a criticism. I really did enjoy this novel. If I had not enjoyed the reveal as much as I did, I would have given this less stars. Enjoy this one for the anticipation of the reveal and for a delicious helping of conspiracy.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There is a minor subplot involving affair. The entanglements are not graphic.
Language -
There are around 26 mild obscenities, 16 religious exclamations and 19 f-words.
Violence - 2.5
There is talk of death, violence and the mistreatment of prisoners. There is some mild description of waterboarding techniques. Overall, the elements for a background and are not graphic.
March 2, 2025
Хареса ми доста, изненадах се от развръзката и се затвърди мнението ми, че Харис е истински майстор!
Не се случва всеки ден да видиш надиграни британците, в едно от най-любимите им занимания.
Интересно ми бе да проследя и моралната девалвация на поредната уж създадена със справедлива цел международна организация. Преди двайсетина години явно е било ок да се съди бивш премиер на световна ядрена сила за участие в отвличането и мъчението на няколко ислямски терористи, докато днес дори масови убийци като Путин и Асад например, не ги заплашва нищо подобно, за военни агресии с милиони убити и безследно изчезнали�
Не се случва всеки ден да видиш надиграни британците, в едно от най-любимите им занимания.
Интересно ми бе да проследя и моралната девалвация на поредната уж създадена със справедлива цел международна организация. Преди двайсетина години явно е било ок да се съди бивш премиер на световна ядрена сила за участие в отвличането и мъчението на няколко ислямски терористи, докато днес дори масови убийци като Путин и Асад например, не ги заплашва нищо подобно, за военни агресии с милиони убити и безследно изчезнали�
June 12, 2017
This is a fast-paced, engrossing thriller--like one of those high production-value films where everything clicks and you know you're in the hands of a real pro.
August 26, 2021
Това ми е втори или трети трилър в живота и явно съм с късмета на начинаещия, защото тази книга е чисто удоволствие, а историческите препратки на Робърт Харис са висш ироничен пилотаж!
September 7, 2017
The Ghost has everything a great thriller needs. There's the slightly-too-curious-for-his-own-good Everyman who stumbles onto something huge, there's the geeky technical delight in details (here, of ghostwriting), and there's the strong suspense and atmosphere of barely-restrained menace. There's even the obligatory and now outdated scene where the protagonist, badly shaken, does his research in an internet cafe, and the obligatory scene where a GPS is used to retroactively follow someone. If a political thriller with a lot of cynicism and a slow boil sounds good to you, you will enjoy The Ghost.
Our unnamed narrator is a long-time professional ghostwriter, most prominently of celebrity memoirs, who is suddenly thrust into the political sphere when he's tapped to take on Adam Lang's memoirs. Lang, we quickly learn, is the controversial former Prime Minister whose reputation in Britain has been sullied by his close relationship with America and promotion of the War on Terror; even now, accusations of Lang having facilitated the CIA torture of British citizens float through the news. Our protagonist has one month to make something out of the massive and almost unreadable manuscript left to him by his predecessor, Lang's longtime aide, who died in a suspicious accident while working on the book. It would be enough to make anyone back off if the money for rushing it through to publication wasn't ridiculously good.
The ghost finds himself drawn into Lang's life--his genuine charm, his possible sins, his psychological slipperiness that makes the task of writing in his voice so difficult. Not to mention his wife, Ruth, brilliant and unpredictably chilly, and his aide/mistress, Amelia, witty and driven. All the ghost has to do is keep his head down and write, but he finds himself poking at loose ends in Lang's stories. What to make of the polished anecdote that turns out to be almost completely fabricated? The insistence on minimizing the entirety of his early dramatic career? The private phone number of Lang's enemy scribbled on the back of a seemingly innocent picture?
The Ghost develops its unease as it goes along, and manages the difficult trick of keeping you sure that something is going on--it says something about the world that at no point is there any real doubt that Lang did in fact aid the CIA in kidnapping and torturing his own citizens*, in the narrator's mind or in anyone else's. That's not, ultimately, what the suspense is really about--while nonetheless winning your emotional involvement in the Langs and their lives. There's an especially good scene where the ghost, under pressure, composes a quick statement for Lang to give to the press in the midst of the controversy, finding himself almost becoming an accomplice to whatever cover-up is going on. He didn't mean to. He just got swept up in it. So did I.
* Bleak note from the past: Harris's hero has to look up what waterboarding is.
Our unnamed narrator is a long-time professional ghostwriter, most prominently of celebrity memoirs, who is suddenly thrust into the political sphere when he's tapped to take on Adam Lang's memoirs. Lang, we quickly learn, is the controversial former Prime Minister whose reputation in Britain has been sullied by his close relationship with America and promotion of the War on Terror; even now, accusations of Lang having facilitated the CIA torture of British citizens float through the news. Our protagonist has one month to make something out of the massive and almost unreadable manuscript left to him by his predecessor, Lang's longtime aide, who died in a suspicious accident while working on the book. It would be enough to make anyone back off if the money for rushing it through to publication wasn't ridiculously good.
The ghost finds himself drawn into Lang's life--his genuine charm, his possible sins, his psychological slipperiness that makes the task of writing in his voice so difficult. Not to mention his wife, Ruth, brilliant and unpredictably chilly, and his aide/mistress, Amelia, witty and driven. All the ghost has to do is keep his head down and write, but he finds himself poking at loose ends in Lang's stories. What to make of the polished anecdote that turns out to be almost completely fabricated? The insistence on minimizing the entirety of his early dramatic career? The private phone number of Lang's enemy scribbled on the back of a seemingly innocent picture?
The Ghost develops its unease as it goes along, and manages the difficult trick of keeping you sure that something is going on--it says something about the world that at no point is there any real doubt that Lang did in fact aid the CIA in kidnapping and torturing his own citizens*, in the narrator's mind or in anyone else's. That's not, ultimately, what the suspense is really about--while nonetheless winning your emotional involvement in the Langs and their lives. There's an especially good scene where the ghost, under pressure, composes a quick statement for Lang to give to the press in the midst of the controversy, finding himself almost becoming an accomplice to whatever cover-up is going on. He didn't mean to. He just got swept up in it. So did I.
* Bleak note from the past: Harris's hero has to look up what waterboarding is.
November 17, 2016
Entertaining thriller with a cleverly twisty plot and an engaging narrator--a professional ghostwriter hired to revise the draft autobiography of former British Prime Minister, Adam Lang.
Our ghostwriter (who doesn't seem to have a name) mostly pens autobiographies for aging rock stars and football players who can't string three words into a sentence. He seems an unlikely choice as the voice of Britain's most famous PM since Margaret Thatcher but the publishers are getting desperate. Lang's autobiography is due out in June, the draft version is a mess and the original ghostwriter has just drowned by accident or suicide off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Can our ghost write an autobiography in a month? For $250,000 plus bonus, he's sure as heck going to try.
The Ghost is great fun. Much of the novel is set in Massachusetts, particularly Martha's Vineyard, a posh island that's a favorite haunt of Clintons and Kennedys, though generally not in January. The PM is holed up in a secluded mansion equipped with emergency steel shutters that can come crashing down over windows to the sound of klaxons. I really got the feeling for what it's like to live in the heady but claustrophobic world of the rich, famous and potentially threatened--whisked from corporate jet to black SUVs, traveling always in motorcades, ringed by secret service, surrounded by sycophants, chafing at the lack of privacy but always, deep down, needing the power.
Lang is clearly supposed to be Tony Blair--though the real Blair seems less chastened by the Iraq war disaster than does his fictional counterpart. I have no idea what the Blair's marriage was (is?) like...Lang and his wife made me think of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Are any of our political elite actually human? I'm not too sure about that but Harris made them real.
PG Warning: Profanity and a fair number of four letter words. Politicians behaving badly with some fade to black sex scenes.
Our ghostwriter (who doesn't seem to have a name) mostly pens autobiographies for aging rock stars and football players who can't string three words into a sentence. He seems an unlikely choice as the voice of Britain's most famous PM since Margaret Thatcher but the publishers are getting desperate. Lang's autobiography is due out in June, the draft version is a mess and the original ghostwriter has just drowned by accident or suicide off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Can our ghost write an autobiography in a month? For $250,000 plus bonus, he's sure as heck going to try.
The Ghost is great fun. Much of the novel is set in Massachusetts, particularly Martha's Vineyard, a posh island that's a favorite haunt of Clintons and Kennedys, though generally not in January. The PM is holed up in a secluded mansion equipped with emergency steel shutters that can come crashing down over windows to the sound of klaxons. I really got the feeling for what it's like to live in the heady but claustrophobic world of the rich, famous and potentially threatened--whisked from corporate jet to black SUVs, traveling always in motorcades, ringed by secret service, surrounded by sycophants, chafing at the lack of privacy but always, deep down, needing the power.
Lang is clearly supposed to be Tony Blair--though the real Blair seems less chastened by the Iraq war disaster than does his fictional counterpart. I have no idea what the Blair's marriage was (is?) like...Lang and his wife made me think of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Are any of our political elite actually human? I'm not too sure about that but Harris made them real.
PG Warning: Profanity and a fair number of four letter words. Politicians behaving badly with some fade to black sex scenes.
October 5, 2019
I ordered The Ghost half halfheartedly. I had watched and loved the Polanski film and thought there was no way the book could be better than the film. But it turned out that the film is almost like a scene by scene adaptation/copy of this book by Robert Harris.
The story is interesting. A ghostwriter is sent to the mysterious and fortified abode of a disgraced former British prime minister, to help complete his autobiography after the previous writer turns up dead. The new ghostwriter uncovers a sinister conspiracy behind the prime minister's successful career and the death of the previous ghost writer.
The Ghost is mostly set in Martha’s Vineyard which is the ex-prime ministers temporary abode. It is a book of place. Harris does a great job describing the desolate beauty of Martha’s Vineyard in the off season. The book is also a great political thriller. I don't want to use trite expressions like "allegory for the current political scenario". There is no allegory here. Harris hits us on the head with his interpretation of the reasons behind Britain’s entry into the Iraq war.
Harris is a great entertainer. The hyperbolic similes and metaphors were fantastic and reminded me of Graham Greene's writing. In fact, if Greene had been writing in the 21st century he might have created a protagonist like the ghostwriter - always dependent on the next drink and keenly aware of everything that is going around him but resigned to his own fate and that of his country. There are even hints of unnatural forces at work when the ghostwriter enters a car used by his predecessor and unquestioningly follows the directions of the car’s navigation system which had saved the final destination of the previous user, the dead writer - �For the first time in my life I was confronted with the true meaning of the word predestination. I had just passed the Victorian whaling church �.. wearily I surrendered to fate�. The journey in the car leads to the unraveling of the mystery. Towards the end of the novel, the ghostwriter, who is the first-person narrator, says completing the autobiography was like working on an Ouija board rather than a keyboard.
The dialogs are laced with wry British humor. Polanski used many of the clever and sharp dialog created by Harris in his film. The plot came across as preposterous at times. But who cares? You are in the hands of a master. Robert Harris is like an experienced movie actor who simply turns up on the set and delivers an effortlessly brilliant performance. I will be checking out more of his work.
The story is interesting. A ghostwriter is sent to the mysterious and fortified abode of a disgraced former British prime minister, to help complete his autobiography after the previous writer turns up dead. The new ghostwriter uncovers a sinister conspiracy behind the prime minister's successful career and the death of the previous ghost writer.
The Ghost is mostly set in Martha’s Vineyard which is the ex-prime ministers temporary abode. It is a book of place. Harris does a great job describing the desolate beauty of Martha’s Vineyard in the off season. The book is also a great political thriller. I don't want to use trite expressions like "allegory for the current political scenario". There is no allegory here. Harris hits us on the head with his interpretation of the reasons behind Britain’s entry into the Iraq war.
Harris is a great entertainer. The hyperbolic similes and metaphors were fantastic and reminded me of Graham Greene's writing. In fact, if Greene had been writing in the 21st century he might have created a protagonist like the ghostwriter - always dependent on the next drink and keenly aware of everything that is going around him but resigned to his own fate and that of his country. There are even hints of unnatural forces at work when the ghostwriter enters a car used by his predecessor and unquestioningly follows the directions of the car’s navigation system which had saved the final destination of the previous user, the dead writer - �For the first time in my life I was confronted with the true meaning of the word predestination. I had just passed the Victorian whaling church �.. wearily I surrendered to fate�. The journey in the car leads to the unraveling of the mystery. Towards the end of the novel, the ghostwriter, who is the first-person narrator, says completing the autobiography was like working on an Ouija board rather than a keyboard.
The dialogs are laced with wry British humor. Polanski used many of the clever and sharp dialog created by Harris in his film. The plot came across as preposterous at times. But who cares? You are in the hands of a master. Robert Harris is like an experienced movie actor who simply turns up on the set and delivers an effortlessly brilliant performance. I will be checking out more of his work.
July 31, 2023
Interesting thriller with corruption, politics and murder. It was written in 2007 and made into a movie in 2010 but the manipulations and secrets to keep power still resonate today.
August 30, 2024
i neglected to leave a rating and review for this book, lol. i actually read it while on a lengthy road trip (believe me, my motion sickness was at its worst while reading, but it was worth it).
� 🏷 ⊹� ׁ݂ spoiler free review | adult mystery thriller
this book was given to me by one of my book-loving friends. i'm a romance girly, i've always read romance books. however, i had doubts about whether i would enjoy this book since it is a pure mystery. but oh boy, i was so wrong.
�.� tropes:
� politics is the major plot
� mentions of war
� mystery
� historical fiction
� suspense
� extra marital affair
� family drama?
� the twist ending
�.� plot summary:
the story follows the life of the main character, ghostwriter, who is known for writing autobiographies of celebrities. however, when he is given the task of writing a memoir for ex-british prime minister, adam lang, his world is turned upside down.
the story begins with the sudden death of the former ghostwriter of adam lang. ghostwriter (mc) is then chosen to take on the task of completing the memoir within a month. as he delves into the world of politics, he realizes that he has no interest or knowledge in this field. this makes his job even more challenging, but he is determined to complete the task.
as ghostwriter starts working on the memoir, he becomes increasingly suspicious about the death of his predecessor. he starts to uncover clues that lead him to believe that there is more to the story than meets the eye. his curiosity and investigative nature lead him down a path of shocking discoveries that not only affect adam lang's reputation but also have global implications.
�.� overview and thoughts:
if you're a sucker for conspiracy theories, this book will serve you with the finest grains of salt. the end was something which i never expected because what the heck. moreover, the book also sheds light on the dark side of politics and the power struggles that often go on behind the scenes. it makes readers question the credibility of those in positions of power and the extent to which they are willing to go to maintain it. i've never been interested in politics and all, but i didn't have any other options but to read this, and it was definitely worth every time i threw up alongside the road.
�.� favorite quotes:
─ � "To say she was my girlfriend was absurd: no one the wrong side of thirty has a girlfriend... I suppose I ought to have realize it's omnious that forty thousand years of human language failed to produce a word for our relationship."
─ � "A book unwritten is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence, and it's halfway to being just like every other bloody book that's ever been written."
─ � "What fascinates people isn't policy─who cares about policy? What fascinates people is always people─the detail of another person's life."
─ � "I decided that ten percent of the population who worry about these things would be appalled by the report, assuming they ever managed to locate it. The remaining ninety would probably just shrug."
� 🏷 ⊹� ׁ݂ spoiler free review | adult mystery thriller
this book was given to me by one of my book-loving friends. i'm a romance girly, i've always read romance books. however, i had doubts about whether i would enjoy this book since it is a pure mystery. but oh boy, i was so wrong.
�.� tropes:
� politics is the major plot
� mentions of war
� mystery
� historical fiction
� suspense
� extra marital affair
� family drama?
� the twist ending
� 🖇 ⊹� ׁ݂ I know the internet is the stuff a paranoiac's dreams are made of.
�.� plot summary:
the story follows the life of the main character, ghostwriter, who is known for writing autobiographies of celebrities. however, when he is given the task of writing a memoir for ex-british prime minister, adam lang, his world is turned upside down.
the story begins with the sudden death of the former ghostwriter of adam lang. ghostwriter (mc) is then chosen to take on the task of completing the memoir within a month. as he delves into the world of politics, he realizes that he has no interest or knowledge in this field. this makes his job even more challenging, but he is determined to complete the task.
as ghostwriter starts working on the memoir, he becomes increasingly suspicious about the death of his predecessor. he starts to uncover clues that lead him to believe that there is more to the story than meets the eye. his curiosity and investigative nature lead him down a path of shocking discoveries that not only affect adam lang's reputation but also have global implications.
� 🖇 ⊹� ׁ݂ Suicide leaves everyone feeling guilty.
�.� overview and thoughts:
if you're a sucker for conspiracy theories, this book will serve you with the finest grains of salt. the end was something which i never expected because what the heck. moreover, the book also sheds light on the dark side of politics and the power struggles that often go on behind the scenes. it makes readers question the credibility of those in positions of power and the extent to which they are willing to go to maintain it. i've never been interested in politics and all, but i didn't have any other options but to read this, and it was definitely worth every time i threw up alongside the road.
� 🖇 ⊹� ׁ݂ To be brave by definition, one has first to be afraid.
�.� favorite quotes:
─ � "To say she was my girlfriend was absurd: no one the wrong side of thirty has a girlfriend... I suppose I ought to have realize it's omnious that forty thousand years of human language failed to produce a word for our relationship."
─ � "A book unwritten is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence, and it's halfway to being just like every other bloody book that's ever been written."
─ � "What fascinates people isn't policy─who cares about policy? What fascinates people is always people─the detail of another person's life."
─ � "I decided that ten percent of the population who worry about these things would be appalled by the report, assuming they ever managed to locate it. The remaining ninety would probably just shrug."
April 29, 2015
For the most part, this is a story which will draw you in and keep your attention, but I felt that it petered out a bit towards the end.
I don't know why there is any discussion amongst readers about whether any parallels can be drawn between this fictional world and real world politics. The basis for the story is so blatantly obvious. Adam Lang is, beyond doubt, a parody of Tony Blair. Ruth is Cheri. And so on.
The story is narrated in the first person by the ghost writer who is commissioned to write the former prime minister's memoirs. The name of the ghost writer is never revealed, but he is a replacement for the original ghost, who had been Lang's aide and who had met an unfortunate end when he fell, or was pushed, from a ferry.
The ghost's escapade is fraught with danger. His greatest problem, and this is a great part of the book because it really stirred me up, is that he brings a lot of that peril upon himself by his foolish actions. I found myself having to exercise great self-restraint as I resisted the temptation to yell at the pages of my book, "No! Don't do that!", "Don't go there!", "Don't make that call!", "Don't send that email!, and so on. He's an intelligent man, but he can be so foolish.
There are a few major shocks, and there are a few incidents in the book which, I am sure, Harris intended to be shocking, but were entirely predictable.
As I indicated in my introduction, following the biggest twist of all towards the end of the book, it fades away and the last few pages are a bit disappointing when compared to the excitement that rolls through most of the story up to that point. It is easy to believe that most of the events described in The Ghost could really have happened.
All in all, this was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers, and I shall certainly bee reading more books by . My dilemma is whether to choose or .
I don't know why there is any discussion amongst readers about whether any parallels can be drawn between this fictional world and real world politics. The basis for the story is so blatantly obvious. Adam Lang is, beyond doubt, a parody of Tony Blair. Ruth is Cheri. And so on.
The story is narrated in the first person by the ghost writer who is commissioned to write the former prime minister's memoirs. The name of the ghost writer is never revealed, but he is a replacement for the original ghost, who had been Lang's aide and who had met an unfortunate end when he fell, or was pushed, from a ferry.
The ghost's escapade is fraught with danger. His greatest problem, and this is a great part of the book because it really stirred me up, is that he brings a lot of that peril upon himself by his foolish actions. I found myself having to exercise great self-restraint as I resisted the temptation to yell at the pages of my book, "No! Don't do that!", "Don't go there!", "Don't make that call!", "Don't send that email!, and so on. He's an intelligent man, but he can be so foolish.
There are a few major shocks, and there are a few incidents in the book which, I am sure, Harris intended to be shocking, but were entirely predictable.
As I indicated in my introduction, following the biggest twist of all towards the end of the book, it fades away and the last few pages are a bit disappointing when compared to the excitement that rolls through most of the story up to that point. It is easy to believe that most of the events described in The Ghost could really have happened.
All in all, this was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers, and I shall certainly bee reading more books by . My dilemma is whether to choose or .
November 7, 2021
I saw the movie and loved it. The cast was spot-on! So after many years and other books, I bought my copy and read the book.
The Ghost Writer is a man not-so-famous because he earns his living writing autobiography books for the barely famous. He’s successful enough to make a living writing, but good enough for that particular book that will give his name the clout needed to get hired by more aspiring clients�.. until now.
When the ghost is hired to write the memoirs of the former British prime minister, he reluctantly agrees because the money is great. But as he works on the manuscript he uncovers details about his client, Adam Lang, that are best left unpublished. When pressured to come up with something good enough about Lang to increase public interest and generate sales, the ghost must decide if the money is good enough for him to put his life on the line and publish the goods, or leave for good.
The book is every bit as good as the film, and that’s saying a lot because the movie is great! One of my favorites. Usually the book is much better, but the film follows the book closely. Of course there are more details in the book, which I enjoyed a lot. Very glad to have made time and read this outstanding novel of suspense.
The Ghost Writer is a man not-so-famous because he earns his living writing autobiography books for the barely famous. He’s successful enough to make a living writing, but good enough for that particular book that will give his name the clout needed to get hired by more aspiring clients�.. until now.
When the ghost is hired to write the memoirs of the former British prime minister, he reluctantly agrees because the money is great. But as he works on the manuscript he uncovers details about his client, Adam Lang, that are best left unpublished. When pressured to come up with something good enough about Lang to increase public interest and generate sales, the ghost must decide if the money is good enough for him to put his life on the line and publish the goods, or leave for good.
The book is every bit as good as the film, and that’s saying a lot because the movie is great! One of my favorites. Usually the book is much better, but the film follows the book closely. Of course there are more details in the book, which I enjoyed a lot. Very glad to have made time and read this outstanding novel of suspense.
March 2, 2025
En realidad le daría 3.5⭐️, que redondeo a 4 porque el autor sabe escribir y narrar muy bien y el libro es muy entretenido. Pero lo cierto es que me esperaba un poco más de esta historia, que para nada es mala, pero si es cierto que se me quedó un poco coja en ocasiones.
Dice la sinopsis: “Un «negro» es la persona que escribe una obra que firmará otra persona. El ex primer ministro británico necesita uno. Y mucho más después de la muerte en circunstancias extrañas del primero que aceptó el encargo.El trabajo está bien pagado, demasiado bien pagado. Sin embargo, exige convivir con el político en su retiro, discreción absoluta y rapidez, porque no queda el tiempo es escaso. El nuevo «negro» está dispuesto a hacerlo. Pero al poco de comenzar surgen las dudas.En la vida y el entorno del ex primer ministro hay muchas zonas oscuras que, conforme se desvelan, orientan el libro hacia otras cada vez más complejas. Hasta el punto que el escritor a sueldo se encuentra con que tiene en sus manos una valiosa información sobre política mundial...�.
Tenemos a un escritor fantasma, de quien en ningún momento sabemos el nombre porque la narración es en primera persona, él no se nombra a sí mismo y durante toda la historia no se llega a decir nunca su nombre, que es contratado por un ex primer ministro británico para escribir sus memorias, justo en el momento en que se ve envuelto en una crisis judicial por el secuestro y posterior entrega a la CIA de cuatro ciudadanos británicos relacionados con el terrorismo. Pronto se ve que la historia es más complicada de lo que aparenta y que la muerte del anterior “negro� puede estar relacionada.
Es un libro no muy largo, que se lee pronto, y la acción comienza desde el principio, aunque a medida que avanza se va complicando aún más. Sin embargo, será que ahora ya estamos curados de espanto dada la situación política internacional actual, que la verdad, si lo narrado hubiera salido a la luz a día de hoy no habría causado prácticamente ningún revuelo. Es enternecedor saber que hubo una época donde a esas cosas se le daban importancia y podrían tener consecuencias.
En resumen, es un libro entretenido y muy bien escrito, recomendable si te gustan las historias de conspiraciones e intrigas políticas.
Dice la sinopsis: “Un «negro» es la persona que escribe una obra que firmará otra persona. El ex primer ministro británico necesita uno. Y mucho más después de la muerte en circunstancias extrañas del primero que aceptó el encargo.El trabajo está bien pagado, demasiado bien pagado. Sin embargo, exige convivir con el político en su retiro, discreción absoluta y rapidez, porque no queda el tiempo es escaso. El nuevo «negro» está dispuesto a hacerlo. Pero al poco de comenzar surgen las dudas.En la vida y el entorno del ex primer ministro hay muchas zonas oscuras que, conforme se desvelan, orientan el libro hacia otras cada vez más complejas. Hasta el punto que el escritor a sueldo se encuentra con que tiene en sus manos una valiosa información sobre política mundial...�.
Tenemos a un escritor fantasma, de quien en ningún momento sabemos el nombre porque la narración es en primera persona, él no se nombra a sí mismo y durante toda la historia no se llega a decir nunca su nombre, que es contratado por un ex primer ministro británico para escribir sus memorias, justo en el momento en que se ve envuelto en una crisis judicial por el secuestro y posterior entrega a la CIA de cuatro ciudadanos británicos relacionados con el terrorismo. Pronto se ve que la historia es más complicada de lo que aparenta y que la muerte del anterior “negro� puede estar relacionada.
Es un libro no muy largo, que se lee pronto, y la acción comienza desde el principio, aunque a medida que avanza se va complicando aún más. Sin embargo, será que ahora ya estamos curados de espanto dada la situación política internacional actual, que la verdad, si lo narrado hubiera salido a la luz a día de hoy no habría causado prácticamente ningún revuelo. Es enternecedor saber que hubo una época donde a esas cosas se le daban importancia y podrían tener consecuencias.
En resumen, es un libro entretenido y muy bien escrito, recomendable si te gustan las historias de conspiraciones e intrigas políticas.
November 12, 2021
Read this book in 2011, and its a standalone book about ghostwriting.
Seen from the perspective of a ghostwriter, who travels to the US to write the memoirs of a former Britain's Prime Minister, and starts writing this memoir.
Not long after being occupied with this memoir, the ghostwriter finds out that his predecessor has died in suspicious circumstances.
Digging deeper into this case the ghostwriter will encounter an ex-Prime Minister with a deadly secrets from the past and those secrets are returning regularly to haunt him with the power to kill again.
What will follow is an exciting tale about the persuasion of the one, Ex-Prime Minister, and the downfall of the other, ghostwriter, with the inevitable result for the misguided ghostwriter.
Recommended, for this is an interesting read about ghostwriting and a misguided person acting as a ghost, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Satisfying Ghost Read"!
Seen from the perspective of a ghostwriter, who travels to the US to write the memoirs of a former Britain's Prime Minister, and starts writing this memoir.
Not long after being occupied with this memoir, the ghostwriter finds out that his predecessor has died in suspicious circumstances.
Digging deeper into this case the ghostwriter will encounter an ex-Prime Minister with a deadly secrets from the past and those secrets are returning regularly to haunt him with the power to kill again.
What will follow is an exciting tale about the persuasion of the one, Ex-Prime Minister, and the downfall of the other, ghostwriter, with the inevitable result for the misguided ghostwriter.
Recommended, for this is an interesting read about ghostwriting and a misguided person acting as a ghost, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Satisfying Ghost Read"!
February 22, 2020
A Tony Blaresque former PM's ghost writer comes to a foul end, his replacement (the narrator) comes in to finish the memoirs. In a very close to reality situation, the former PM Lang's rule as PM seems to have left him in an insular position, somewhat divorced from reality, even as it appears that through the UN, via his Robin Cook-ish former Foreign Secretary, he maybe accused of war crimes from when he was in office!
This is not some form of critique of the Blair years, but more just a conspiracy thriller starring characters that people who follow UK politics will be familiar with. 5 out of 12.
This is not some form of critique of the Blair years, but more just a conspiracy thriller starring characters that people who follow UK politics will be familiar with. 5 out of 12.
November 5, 2011
An exciting read which is also thoughtful. Why did we go to war in Iraq? Harris' Pompeii and Enigma are also excellent historical novels.
In addition to the well-paced plot line, The Ghost Writer has many pertinent observations about researching and writing which may be useful to anyone who writes historical fiction (such as me).
In addition to the well-paced plot line, The Ghost Writer has many pertinent observations about researching and writing which may be useful to anyone who writes historical fiction (such as me).
August 1, 2008
I supposed this was a roman a clef since Harris was –as mentioned everywhere- a former friend of the Blairs. It’s just a thriller with enough links with what we think is the reality of politics to feel as fact. And he wields a scalpel on them with finesse and venom. An ex British PM is “writing� his memoirs with the help of a former aide who is found drowned in an apparent suicide. Enters a professional ghost-writer, the first person narrator of the novel, whose name we never found out. And then a series of suspicious events make him an investigator in the early life of the PM and wife, and he uncovers more than is good for his sanity. Harris writes well, his novels are entertaining and his characters engaging, so the book made me a slave for two days. The main character is maybe a bit naïve and the uncovering of facts through Google surfing appears as a bit too easy but the overall plot feels right. Not knowing a thing about British politics I didn’t find parallels and in my mind the ex PM of The Ghost was someone composed by a lot of Hollywood males. But whenever the wife was mentioned, I saw Cherie Blair in my head.
October 22, 2014
Another first read author for me, I guess Robert Harris most well known book, as well as a film, I think realised in the USA as The Ghost Writer.
Britain's former prime minister is holed up in a remote, ocean-front house in America, struggling to finish his memoirs, when his long-term assistant drowns. A professional ghost writer is sent out to rescue the project - a man more used to working with fading rock stars and minor celebrities than ex-world leaders. The ghost soon discovers that his distinguished new client has secrets in his past that are returning to haunt him - secrets with the power to kill.
This book lacked the excitement, tensions, action and suspense of many of my recent reads and favourite author. This book up to halfway through would only have gained two stars but improved to a three star just!
I know it is a political thriller, but lacked the real action, twists of a gripping book from David Baldacci, Simon Kernick, Linda Castillo.
It was not a book that you felt like you were excited to read the next chapter, just okay.
This was my October read, now back to the third instalment of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder, already much better after two/three chapters.
Not an author I would recommend.
Britain's former prime minister is holed up in a remote, ocean-front house in America, struggling to finish his memoirs, when his long-term assistant drowns. A professional ghost writer is sent out to rescue the project - a man more used to working with fading rock stars and minor celebrities than ex-world leaders. The ghost soon discovers that his distinguished new client has secrets in his past that are returning to haunt him - secrets with the power to kill.
This book lacked the excitement, tensions, action and suspense of many of my recent reads and favourite author. This book up to halfway through would only have gained two stars but improved to a three star just!
I know it is a political thriller, but lacked the real action, twists of a gripping book from David Baldacci, Simon Kernick, Linda Castillo.
It was not a book that you felt like you were excited to read the next chapter, just okay.
This was my October read, now back to the third instalment of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder, already much better after two/three chapters.
Not an author I would recommend.
September 4, 2018
I have read a number of Robert Harris’s books. I have found him to be an excellent historical novelist. According to my records I originally read this book in 2008, and it was first published in 2007. When I got this book, I did not realize I had read it before because of the different title. The original was named “The Ghost� this one is “The Ghostwriter�. This book is entirely different from Harris’s usual writings.
This story is narrated by the man who is a professional ghostwriter. He has been hired by a publishing company to complete a political memoir on a former British Prime Minister. The prior ghostwriter has just died. Harris has the regular story plot going, but underneath he has a subtler serious discussion about political memoires, truth, the use or abuse of power, international law and politics. Also, there is a on going discussion about the role of ghostwriting. I found the story interesting and it did start me thinking about the topic.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is almost nine hours. Roger Rees does an excellent job narrating the book. Rees is a Welsh actor as well as an audiobook narrator. Rees has won the Olivier and Tony Awards as well as the Obie Award.
This story is narrated by the man who is a professional ghostwriter. He has been hired by a publishing company to complete a political memoir on a former British Prime Minister. The prior ghostwriter has just died. Harris has the regular story plot going, but underneath he has a subtler serious discussion about political memoires, truth, the use or abuse of power, international law and politics. Also, there is a on going discussion about the role of ghostwriting. I found the story interesting and it did start me thinking about the topic.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is almost nine hours. Roger Rees does an excellent job narrating the book. Rees is a Welsh actor as well as an audiobook narrator. Rees has won the Olivier and Tony Awards as well as the Obie Award.
June 26, 2021
Отличный политический триллер, динамичный и емкий. Роман Полански снял по книге фильм в 2010 году и постарался оставить максимум авторских диалогов. Не пытайтесь читать его на русском, ведь перевод делал пьяненький Google-переводчик. Вас будет ждать море разных вариантов написания города Leicester, выражение «oh, boy� переводится как «о, парень», дом охраняют сторожевые циклопы, также есть стипендия Родеса, сладкие сосульки и прочие прекрасные слова и выражения, которые будут отвлекать.
September 17, 2023
unexpected tony blair fanfiction
December 15, 2016
What a splendid, exciting, and enjoyable read. 4.5 stars with the tension, pace, linear continuity to our narrator's experience of being the ghost writer for a former British Prime Minister's memoir. This prime voice/mind/"eyes" of supreme dilemma/sprightly traveling plot is never given a full name during the entire book. Robert Harris has Adam, the center of this world and the book, just calling him "man". As in, "hand me that, man" or "thanks, man". What a superb insight! Although he (our ghostwriter) holds the entire cognition for the life, the plot, the surrounding context picture- he is truly only a Ghost. Invisible and nameless to any public exposure. Or to any publishing celebration party on the date of sale. No, beyond that, to anyone at all who "matters". He's just a conduit, a funnel or a tunnel -a pipeline for forming words. Words with which, unfortunately, might leak some past or long forgotten facts associated with various Lang youth tales. Inconveniently to other parties in that past being an unfortunate side effect?
Loved this read. And will read all of his. And all are so different from each other! I can't wait to see how contrived and complex he places these kinds of facades and marketing within ancient Rome. Honestly, even at this early point, I am going to award Richard Harris the award for "street smart" word craft accuracy. His characters are the opposite from slow, unintelligent, or slyly crafty without being a wit naive. They seem so real, so ordinary to the modern norm, and yet so layered. And with his word nuance it happens so quickly too.
Adam Lang is the former Prime Minister. With super ties to American elites of nearly every celeb or politico. Cambridge good fellow and then coupled with the power behind the throne of his clever, clever wife, Ruth.
So why did the former ghostwriter have such a fate of most dire and pathetic outcome?
And how does the reader know the core of our Ghost, his feelings, his reactions, his wants and needs and most of all his fears- so quickly? Skill. Robert Harris entrenches you within the culture, the ambiance of their top rung elite private airplane of numerous locations, nearly instantly. Not overlong. It moves, moves, moves. And without the usual violence ratio for a thriller, spy, politico, or policing ensemble, either. Tension, question, darting looks, tension, question. So much is revealed as is concealed.
I had to look up the publication date twice, I found Harris's foreseeing skills incredible. Mine says 2007. So this book is nearly 10 years old. He holds some savvy for vast waving tides of worldview "eyes" on top of his writing style expertise. It is written as books of this genre were written before 2000, as well. No alternating time periods, flip flopping narrator ages or multiple voice ping-ponging. Just straight tension, pressured pace, serendipity to where the narrator is going in real time, even for his own knowledge or choice miasma!
Fabulous ending. I wanted a bit more about the Ruth of after. But then I might have had to learn our Ghost's name or had him not end it with those last comments.
Highly recommend for a fun read, with deep intrinsic psychological coloring, also holding savvy, savvy eyes to the media, politico worlds of the present modern. He must have a finely tuned intelligence to that aspect, or a compass supreme for the public's tolerance levels from chiding know betters.
Loved this read. And will read all of his. And all are so different from each other! I can't wait to see how contrived and complex he places these kinds of facades and marketing within ancient Rome. Honestly, even at this early point, I am going to award Richard Harris the award for "street smart" word craft accuracy. His characters are the opposite from slow, unintelligent, or slyly crafty without being a wit naive. They seem so real, so ordinary to the modern norm, and yet so layered. And with his word nuance it happens so quickly too.
Adam Lang is the former Prime Minister. With super ties to American elites of nearly every celeb or politico. Cambridge good fellow and then coupled with the power behind the throne of his clever, clever wife, Ruth.
So why did the former ghostwriter have such a fate of most dire and pathetic outcome?
And how does the reader know the core of our Ghost, his feelings, his reactions, his wants and needs and most of all his fears- so quickly? Skill. Robert Harris entrenches you within the culture, the ambiance of their top rung elite private airplane of numerous locations, nearly instantly. Not overlong. It moves, moves, moves. And without the usual violence ratio for a thriller, spy, politico, or policing ensemble, either. Tension, question, darting looks, tension, question. So much is revealed as is concealed.
I had to look up the publication date twice, I found Harris's foreseeing skills incredible. Mine says 2007. So this book is nearly 10 years old. He holds some savvy for vast waving tides of worldview "eyes" on top of his writing style expertise. It is written as books of this genre were written before 2000, as well. No alternating time periods, flip flopping narrator ages or multiple voice ping-ponging. Just straight tension, pressured pace, serendipity to where the narrator is going in real time, even for his own knowledge or choice miasma!
Fabulous ending. I wanted a bit more about the Ruth of after. But then I might have had to learn our Ghost's name or had him not end it with those last comments.
Highly recommend for a fun read, with deep intrinsic psychological coloring, also holding savvy, savvy eyes to the media, politico worlds of the present modern. He must have a finely tuned intelligence to that aspect, or a compass supreme for the public's tolerance levels from chiding know betters.
October 19, 2009
To me, a good thriller can be like a colonic...something breezy and unsubstantial to flush the system out, especially if one has just finished something bloated and ponderous (I'm talking about YOU, )!
"The Ghost" is a good thriller. A recently retired-from-office British Prime Minister hires a ghost-writer (duh- because the story is written in the first person, I never noticed that the name of the narrator/protagonist is never supplied) to help him write his memoirs. Our hero is the second one to attempt this job. His predecessor died mid-project, and the work that survives him is deemed unpublishable. The narrator quickly begins to suspect that maybe the first ghost-writer's death was suspicious, and that perhaps something he uncovered made it necessary for him to be killed.
The political allegory is so transparent, Author Harris might as well have named his fictional Prime Minister “Tomy Blare,� instead of Adam Lang. Despite that, the plot moves along briskly if predictably, and the resolution, although it seemed rushed, is satisfying. I wouldn't rank this among Great Thrillers I Have Known, but I thought the perspective was fresh for a political tale, and I also found the insight into ghost-writing interesting.
"The Ghost" is a good thriller. A recently retired-from-office British Prime Minister hires a ghost-writer (duh- because the story is written in the first person, I never noticed that the name of the narrator/protagonist is never supplied) to help him write his memoirs. Our hero is the second one to attempt this job. His predecessor died mid-project, and the work that survives him is deemed unpublishable. The narrator quickly begins to suspect that maybe the first ghost-writer's death was suspicious, and that perhaps something he uncovered made it necessary for him to be killed.
The political allegory is so transparent, Author Harris might as well have named his fictional Prime Minister “Tomy Blare,� instead of Adam Lang. Despite that, the plot moves along briskly if predictably, and the resolution, although it seemed rushed, is satisfying. I wouldn't rank this among Great Thrillers I Have Known, but I thought the perspective was fresh for a political tale, and I also found the insight into ghost-writing interesting.
February 25, 2025
“El poder en la sombra�, no solo es una novela de suspense, es también un juego literario inimaginable. Una especie de bifrontismo con dos historias ligadas.
January 9, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
July 13, 2016
The Ghost, an extraordinarily auspicious thriller of power, politics, corruption, and murder. Dashing, captivating Adam Lang was Britain's longest serving -- and most controversial -- prime minister of the last half century, whose career ended in tatters after he sided with America in an unpopular war on terror. Now, after stepping down in disgrace, Lang is hiding out in wintry Martha's Vineyard to finish his much sought-after, potentially explosive memoir, for which he accepted one of history's largest cash advances. But the project runs aground when his ghostwriter suddenly and mysteriously disappears and later washes up, dead, on the island's deserted shore.
Enter our hero -- Lang's new ghostwriter -- cynical, mercenary, and quick with a line of deadpan humor. Accustomed to working with fading rock stars and minor celebrities, he jumps at the chance to be the new ghost of Adam Lang's memoirs, especially as it means a big payday. At once he flies to Lang's remote location in America to finish the book in the seclusion of a luxurious estate, but it doesn't take him long to realize he has made a fatal error in judgment.
The state of affairs is grim enough when the ghost begins to unearth the bone-chilling circumstances of his predecessor's death. And before long, he discovers that the ex-prime minister is not just a charismatic politician who made a few mistakes. He's a dark, tortured man with haunting secrets in his past -- secrets with the power to alter world politics. Secrets with the power to kill.
Enter our hero -- Lang's new ghostwriter -- cynical, mercenary, and quick with a line of deadpan humor. Accustomed to working with fading rock stars and minor celebrities, he jumps at the chance to be the new ghost of Adam Lang's memoirs, especially as it means a big payday. At once he flies to Lang's remote location in America to finish the book in the seclusion of a luxurious estate, but it doesn't take him long to realize he has made a fatal error in judgment.
The state of affairs is grim enough when the ghost begins to unearth the bone-chilling circumstances of his predecessor's death. And before long, he discovers that the ex-prime minister is not just a charismatic politician who made a few mistakes. He's a dark, tortured man with haunting secrets in his past -- secrets with the power to alter world politics. Secrets with the power to kill.
March 27, 2008
The Ghost by Robert Harris.
A roller-coaster of a book - and not in a good way.
I like Robert Harris books and I loved his last one - Imperium. I loved it so much that I was really looking forward to the next in the series (neil h. informed me that it was part of a trilogy). Therefore I was a little meh about the fact he had taken time out to write The Ghost. Damn writers and their need to write a story instead of the one I wanted to read! However, there was branch of Borders shutting down t'other day and they were offering 40% off all books. They had a copy of The Ghost on the shelves and I picked it up - I knew that I would read it eventually, I just didn't want to pay full price for something I might not enjoy. And, it was with that mentality (I'm not going to enjoy it) that I started the book.
But it is a Robert Harris book and, as I've stated, I like his books. It didn't take long for me to start enjoying it. Oh sure, there was the usual cringe moments - this man cannot write a sex scene to save his life. In fact, he can't even write a "sexy" scene to save his life:
She crossed her legs at the ankles, leaned forward to read, and I found myself staring into the surprisingly deep and shadowy valley of her cleavage.
But there are the usual page-turning chapters - those moments when you really should put the book down and get on with your life but you just need to find out what happened next.
The story is about a man who is called in to ghost the memoires of a former British Prime Minister, Adam Lang. The Lang character is clearly supposed to be Tony Blair and the author (Harris) displays a great hatred of Mr. Blair. It is that hatred of a spurned lover, an emotion I can understand. When Blair was elected, I was so excited, so positive - I sang along to "Things Can Only Get Better" for the several hours it played, as we waited for him to arrive in London. But it all went wrong. All the dreams, all the hopes, all the beliefs turned out to false. He wasn't the saviour we all thought. He leaves a legacy that is dominated by a war in Iraq. And, it is the reason why we went to war, that forms the cornerstone to this novel.
At first Mr. Harris builds his usual story web. He introduces the characters, he sets scenes wonderfully, he leaves enough clues scattered about to make you feel clever for spotting them. However the ending is rushed. It is trite. The denouement is contrived and a bit insulting. A true roller-coaster ride. I started of not liking the book, learned to love it, ended up disliking it. Of coursem ,y disappointment is mainly because it is a Robert Harris book and I expect better of him (except for the sex scenes). If this had been written by Dan Brown I would be announcing to the world that it is his finest piece of work. But, if it had been written by Mr. Brown, I wouldn't have picked it up. Over at goodreads.com I have given it three stars - I liked it - rather than two - it was OK - because it was a Robert Harris book. But, not his best. To finish on a quote from this book:
All good books are different but all bad books are exactly the same.[..] And what they have in common, these bad books, be they novels or memoirs, is this: they don't ring true. I'm not saying that a good book is true necessarily, just that it feels true for the time you are reading it.
Unfortunately, Mr. Harris, although your book feels true for a good solid part of it, it falls short at the end. It verges towards being a bad book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,644 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.